At my witts end

This blog goes out to all whom reads this and can empathize with how very frustrating it is being a young woman in her mid 20's with Lupus. It's been a while since I have actually sat down and fell well enough to write in my blog, but I find myself tonight being not able to sleep ( a very common occurrence in my life these days). Every night I have trouble sleeping , I'm not truly sure the cause of this, it could be an array of things that keep me from sleeping. For example it could possibly be my medicines, the pounding migraines I often get, the constant itching fits, the hives/welts, painful skin lesions, escrutiating pain in my stomach, ,nausea, the painful and stiffening inflammation in my joints, the sore bumps on my head I sometimes get or possibly it's the fact that I feel restless a majority of the time yet don't have enough energy to really do anything that seems to matter. It could be that at night when I go to lay my head on the pillow, I just lay there worrying about all that weighs heavy on my heart. I constantly worry about all the things that I have been unable to accomplish during the day, and the fact that all the things I want to accomplish appear to be getting bigger with every passing day and are seeming to be mounting up to become impossible tasks.
I'm not sure if anyone actually reads this, but I know that just being able to vent out how I feel, helps allieviate some of this anger and frustration that i feel inside of me.
I hate this disease!!! I once heard in this really excellent PSA announcement by the the Lupus foundation of America , where one woman makes a comment about how she feels that Lupus is a disease that is robbing her of her present and she's terrified of it stealing her future. This to sum it up is how I am lately feeling! Lupus isn't a new disease to me , I've been dealing with it and it's effects in my life for some time now. I've been battling it for over 8 years and before that I fought it with my sister's diagnosis for 7 years, until she lost her battle to this disease at the early age of 24 .
I have always approached having Lupus in a positive way , not allowing it to put me on the sidelines of life, but recently after gaining over 4o lbs because of the massive dose of prednisone, I find myself getting angry and frustrated beyond words. I am a woman of strong Faith in God, I have seen Him use hardships in my life as stepping stones to great blessings . But I have to admit right now I feel like I'm at my Witt's end. I try and try to get better, and just when I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere I end up getting sick again, and I'm back to square 1 again.
You know it's like taking 5 steps forward and then you end up going back 10, and then your even worse off then when you began. I NEED HELP!!! I'm exhausted of living like this!!!
Tomorrow is my birthday, I'll be 27 years old. I can't believe it!!! I always thought I would be much further along in my life than where I find myself. My biggest accomplishment is getting up and not feeling like crap, and possibly accomplishing at least one thing on my to do list.
I always thought that by now I would have traveled more of the world, finished my masters degree, lost the weight that I have always battled, been married, started the orphanage, maybe even began my own family.... but NO, none of these things have happened yet. I don't understand why everything has to be so hard for me.... I feel like I'm trying to dig myself out of a sand pit, the harder I try, the deeper I seem to fall. It just doesn't seem fair, some people have perfect health, yet have no idea what there purpose in life is, i on the other hand know exactly why God created me and the purposes He has placed on my life to fulfill. I do count my blessings through all of this, and I know there could be worse things in life, but where my frustration stems is that I just want to fulfill the purposes that I was made for and the disease is my biggest obstacle.
I know there is this expression that says, the hardest of trials go to the strongest of character. I do believe this expression and do acknowledge that having this illness has made me a stronger person, in my faith and character. But at the same time it just doesn't seem fair! I'm not someone who wants worldly things, I've never asked for fame, beauty, or lots of money or the things that most people strive for everyday. I just want to be healthy, not to have to deal with the constant health obstacles of Lupus, so I can accomplish the desire of helping others and making this world a better place.
Like I said before I'm at my Witt's end!!!

Trying to keep my head above water! Sincerely, Coolbeans

What a Blessing!

Hello Everyone! I am a 26 turning 27 year old woman who has suffered with SLE Lupus and other Cross Connective Tissue disorders for the last 8 years. I have lost a sister to this terrible disease and I now find myself battling it as well. I have never really felt the need to go outside my own support system to find comfort, but I currently have been coming across some difficult trials that really seem to try my Faith and self esteem. I have never blogged before so this is all very new to me. I decided that right now that this is a time in my life that I am really needing encouragement and advice from fellow people who are also dealing with all the trials and heartache that accompanies this awful and frustrating disease. I have quiet a story on how I was diagnosed with Lupus and feel the need to share it with others.
I guess, I have signed up to blog because more than anything I just need a way to vent out the feelings that weigh heavy on my heart and on my mind. I also was suggested by a friend who is fighting her own battle with cancer that this may be a way for me to meet other young woman who may be going through the same battles I find myself in. I also have realized that it's in the moments that I can encourage and reach out to others that somehow those words find a way back to my own ears and speak to my own heart. I'm really excited to have found this website and I look forward to reading and sharing stories, information and ideas with everyone.
In Friendship,
Coolbeans